Python

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Activities for every setting: Choosing and adapting projects for different club environments

Every Code Club is different, and the best activities are the ones that suit your young people, setting, and goals.

Code Club projects are designed to be flexible, whether you are running a club in a school, library, or other community space. In this blog post, we’re sharing practical ways to choose and adapt projects for your club, to help your creators get the most out of their sessions.

For more inspiration on adapting Code Club to different settings, read our blog post with insights from mentors Fiona and Bob, who run their clubs in a library and a school.

A group of people, including a child with red hair and glasses, are engaged in a coding or computer activity in a classroom setting. An adult is assisting the child on a laptop while another child observes.

Choosing projects for your setting

Some Code Clubs enjoy working on the same project together, to give young people the opportunity to collaborate, ask questions, and learn from each other. In other clubs, it may work better to encourage each creator to choose their own project based on their interests and experience.

Whichever approach you take, you can adapt most projects to suit your club and the young people attending. However, before you start to choose projects, it can be helpful to consider the following questions:

  • How often do you run sessions?
  • Does the same group of young people attend each session?
  • Are the young people a similar age, or do they have similar experience levels?

These questions can help you decide which approach is likely to work best for your club, and as a result, which projects may suit your creators best.

A smiling boy holds a sign that says 'We made this' in a classroom setting, with other students in the background.

Regular sessions

If you are working with groups of young people over a period of time, following a project path may be a good place to start. Project paths guide creators through a series of six projects that will help them build their coding and design skills, offering clubs a structure with clear progression, which they can bring into their sessions.

Examples include:

  • Introduction to Scratch: This path is ideal for less experienced creators. Young people build their skills in block-based coding through playful, story-led activities. 
  • Introduction to Python: This path is a good next step for creators who are ready to try text-based coding. Young people develop simple interactive programs and explore graphics, animation, and more.
  • Introduction to micro:bit: If your club has access to BBC micro:bits, this path is a great way to introduce physical computing. Young people create fun interactive programs using sensors, lights, and buttons.

Drop-in sessions

Libraries and community centres often welcome young people of a mix of ages and experience levels, and different creators may attend each session.

In these settings, it can be helpful to encourage each creator to choose a project based on their interests and coding experience. This helps them get engaged straight away, and makes it easy for participants to join in at any point, without needing to have completed previous projects, which supports a more flexible, drop-in style of learning.

With more than 200 projects to choose from, you can use the filters on the Code Club Projects website to find projects by theme (for example, art, sports, or health), difficulty level, and technology, to help every young person discover something that is right for them. 

“I really want the children to come here and be free — free to be themselves, free to be creative, without the restrictions of adults and their parents telling them or suggesting what their outcomes should be. Because once the children have been creative in their own space, they will continue to be creative in life. They will continue because they have the skills and confidence and the knowledge to know that they can create what they want to create without being directed or steered.” – Marie, Code Club mentor, Breadline London

Graphic showcasing coding projects for kids and teenagers with options in various topics including nature, games, music, art, sports, and science.

‘Bring your own device’

Your club may support young people bringing their own devices. This allows them to use types of software that they have installed, which may be different to the software available on devices that might be available at the venue, giving them more freedom to create with a wider range of programs.

Adapting projects to inspire every creator

The same project can feel completely different depending on how you use it. By connecting activities to your setting and the interests of the young people attending, you can make coding feel more meaningful, inspiring, and fun — while still helping learners develop the same core skills. Here are some ideas to get you started.

1. Chatbot

This Scratch project can be educational, creative, personal, or community-focused, depending on the context.

In a school, creators could build a chatbot that quizzes their peers on a curriculum topic, to support their studies.

In a library, young people could create a project to recommend books or introduce library services, combining coding with storytelling and user-centred thinking.

In a community centre, creators could design a chatbot to welcome visitors or share information about local activities, using coding to support and connect with their community.

Cartoon robot face with yellow eyes, a smiling mouth, and an antenna on top, set against a green background.

2. About me

This project is a great way for young people to express themselves while taking their first steps with Python.

In a school, creators could write a program to introduce themselves, sharing their interests, favourite subjects, and hobbies.

In a library, coders could create a program inspired by their favourite books or characters.

In a community centre, creators could personalise their programs and share them with one another, encouraging creativity and helping everyone learn more about each other.

A simple, cartoonish robot character outlined in dotted lines, walking with one arm raised, against a yellow background.

Small changes, big impact

Each venue may be different, but the goal remains the same: helping young people build digital skills, confidence, and creativity. Small changes to the way you introduce or adapt a project can have a big impact, as this can help you make coding more relevant, engaging, and meaningful for the young people in your club.

“It makes me proud to know that I’ve made something, because I used to think, ‘I’m never going to be able to make that!’ Now, I’m a bit more confident.” – Alex, creator

Whether your Code Club meets in a classroom, a library, or another community venue, you can adapt our free projects and paths to suit your learners and your setting. Explore our projects to find inspiration for your next session.

“I was terrified of Python!” – How Harry became a Code Club youth mentor

Every Thursday after school, the Code Club at Dame Allan’s Schools, Newcastle upon Tyne, England, becomes a space where young people can experiment, solve problems, and learn together. But for 14-year-old Harry, it’s also become an opportunity to lead, teach, and inspire others.

Harry first joined Code Club in Year 7 with some experience of Scratch and a love of “all sorts of computer-y things”. Over the years, he explored everything from Sonic Pi and web design to AI and machine learning. But one challenge stood out.

“The worst part for me was when we were introduced to Python,” Harry says. “I was so scared of text-based coding! I ended up learning it and it went OK!”

Now, just a few years later, Harry is leading sessions and supporting creators to learn Python as a Code Club youth mentor.

A student is standing in front of a large touchscreen display, writing code for a simple choice adventure game. The screen shows a Python code snippet with instructions for the game, including a welcome message and player choices. The student is wearing a blue sports outfit and appears engaged in the lesson.

Taking the leap into mentoring

Harry’s journey into mentoring started when he spoke to Code Club leader and computer science teacher, June Raines, about staying involved as he got older.

“She suggested that I could help out a bit as well,” Harry explains. “I thought it sounded quite fun, so I decided to give it a go and use it for my Duke of Edinburgh volunteering too.”

What began as helping other members soon developed into planning activities and running sessions.

“When I first started helping, I felt a little useless and that I wasn’t helping enough,” he says. “That inspired me to actually run my own sessions!”

Today, Harry helps lead the club every week, teaching coding concepts, supporting creators when they get stuck, and making sure sessions stay fun and engaging.

A student working on a computer screen displaying a Python programming interface with various project suggestions, including a password generator.

Building a club shaped by young people

A typical session starts with a quick game before creators dive into projects and activities. Harry regularly asks club members for feedback through surveys, which helps him shape future sessions around what they enjoy most.

“I try to tailor the sessions to what they like,” he says. “That helps keep it fun and engaging for them.”

One of Harry’s favourite things to teach has been Python — the same language that once felt intimidating to him.

“Some of my best sessions were probably when I taught them Python!”

For Harry, the most rewarding moments come from seeing younger creators grow in confidence.

“The best moment was when a new creator finally got his rock, paper, scissors game working,” he says. “I was so happy for him!”

Illustration of a computer screen displaying a pink brain at the center, with hands representing 'rock' and 'scissors' on either side and thought bubbles for creative ideas.

A Star Club success

This year, Dame Allan’s was recognised as a Star Club — a group of amazing clubs that help Code Club and its community grow and develop. They show what it takes to run a successful club, from sharing their knowledge to helping us test new projects. 

“It felt great!” Harry says. “To know that the Raspberry Pi Foundation recognised our club as an amazing example of their Code Clubs was really nice.”

June believes Harry has played an important role in creating the club’s relaxed and supportive atmosphere.

“The students really enjoy having Harry lead the club,” she says. “They see it as less of a lesson and more of a collaborative coding session.”

Looking ahead

Harry already has plans for the future. He hopes to continue leading coding activities at school and is currently learning Dart and Flutter (Dart is the programming language, and Flutter is the toolkit that helps turn that code into apps) in his own time. He’s also keen to introduce new technologies and projects to future Code Club members.

His advice for other young people thinking about becoming a Youth Mentor?

“Give it a go! What’s the worst thing that could happen?”

From being nervous about Python to teaching it himself, Harry’s story shows how Code Club can help young people develop not just coding skills, but confidence, leadership, and the chance to help others discover a love of technology too.

A student in a school uniform using a power drill to assemble a robotics project, focused on the task at hand.

For a little more support, or if you’re open to mentoring others, you can also join a Code Club. Check our website to find a club near you and become part of a like-minded and welcoming community.

Full Stack Vision Foundation: Empowering the next generation of Caribbean creators through Code Club

Full Stack Vision Foundation, a Code Club partner, is a non-profit organisation whose mission is to create the foundations for knowledge in the digital sector and provide opportunities for children in the Caribbean through activities like Code Club.

Ruhee Shah, Global Partnerships Coordinator at the Raspberry Pi Foundation, spoke to Bruce Harms, Founder and President of Full Stack Vision Foundation, about their work and how Code Clubs are inspiring the next generation of coders in the Caribbean.

Engaging the next generation of Caribbean makers

Since launching in 2022, Full Stack Vision Foundation has grown from a single library session in Oranjestad to a thriving network of ten clubs. The foundation is driven by a “full-stack” philosophy,  meaning it works on every level of the community, from youth programs to regional digital strategy. 

To engage young people who might not initially see themselves as “coders”, Bruce uses technology that feels relevant to their daily lives. By using Raspberry Pis and BBC micro:bits to build wildlife cameras or retro gaming consoles, he demonstrates the practical uses of these tools for islanders. He often demonstrates to coders how these devices can solve real-world problems, such as a Pi-powered door opener for a family member with limited mobility or a micro:bit “Heart Listener.”

“Our ecosystem of Code Clubs have no boundaries: we have 7-year-olds doing microbits, parents joining in learning to Scratch, university students helping out in sessions and teachers getting inspired to learn.” – Bruce Harms, Founder and President of Full Stack Vision Foundation

For Bruce, tailoring content to the local context is a core part of the learning experience. When using the Experience AI curriculum, clubs analyse pollution data from Aruba. In Scratch, a project about growing sugar is adapted to focus on the aloe vera plant. These cultural and historical contact points help creators see themselves as part of a global movement that respects local roots.

“The word ‘resilience’ has a special meaning for us islanders. Raspberry Pis and Code Club are the building blocks for a sustainable future.” – Bruce Harms, Founder and President of Full Stack Vision Foundation

Building pathways to STEM careers

The impact of Code Club is evident in the individual journeys of the participants. Former mentors and students are now using their Code Club experience as a foundation for higher education and international STEM competitions. For example, Jean-Luc transitioned from mentoring into university, and Ruart secured a top spot in a global robotics competition. Another creator, Gervinio, started as a CoderDojo “Ninja” and was inspired to pursue studies at Instituto Pedagogico Arubano with a focus on cybersecurity.

“We want to see more of these stories and hope to benchmark these journeys as a whole.” – Bruce Harms, Founder and President of Full Stack Vision Foundation

Two young individuals engage with a red laptop during a collaborative activity at a table, one with glasses looking focused, while the other holds a green box and observes.

Building a Caribbean-wide network

Looking ahead, the Full Stack Vision Foundation has ambitious plans to continue growing its digital ecosystem. This year, they established the Caribbean’s first Raspberry Pi Lab at the EduCampus Code Club, providing a dedicated space for more advanced making and experimentation.

By building partnerships with organisations like UNESCO and the University of the West Indies, Bruce is helping to connect the region through a shared digital language. To support their mission of uniting the region, they are also launching codeclubcaribbean.org. This new platform will serve as a hub to share stories and resources, helping to onboard new clubs in islands like Barbados, Curaçao, and Sint Maarten.

“Giving young people the ability to make, create, and sustain technological solutions is what the Caribbean wants.”
– Bruce Harms, Founder and President of Full Stack Vision Foundation

A young boy sitting at a table with a laptop, interacting with an adult man who is helping him with a device. Several individuals are visible in the background, engaged in various activities.

Inspired by the work in Full Stack Vision Foundation’s work in the Caribbean? Find out more on how to run your own Code Club.